Politico’s publication of an expired initial draft of the Supreme Court’s ruling, which effectively killed Rowe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, detonated a long-awaited grenade. Republicans, who have spent most of the past four decades trying to build a conservative majority in the Supreme Court to overturn Rowe, are now in fact the dog chasing the car. Democrats, meanwhile, appear justified after years of arguing that Republicans will deny access to abortion.
But now that this is likely to happen, both face significant shortcomings. A Washington Post / ABC News poll released Sunday found that 47 percent of voters believe Democrats, not Republicans, have abortions. That number is likely to fall further if the expired draft becomes a formal Supreme Court opinion – especially given that other polls show that a majority of Americans support safe and legal access to abortion.
“This is really unprecedented, and just to be honest, it will infuriate many people across the country,” Marcela Mulholand, political director of the progressive sociological publication Data for Progress, told me after the news. “And there is a lot of talk that this is a difficult medium-term cycle for Democrats. But I really don’t think it’s possible to say how such a decision could have consequences and really be a reaction against the conservatives, who are depriving people of their constitutional rights to bodily autonomy.
Meanwhile, a Republican strategist to whom your reporter sent an SMS in the background said: “The majority of the Republican Party will remain on the offensive in terms of inflation, crime and immigration, while Democrats will try to use it to abduct women voters away from the rising tide that comes to them in November. “
But that doesn’t mean Democrats are aware of abortion. Last year, the House of Representatives passed the Women’s Health Act and only one Democrat voted against: Representative Henry Cuelar, who represents South Texas and faces a major rival in Jessica Cisneros, which the Republic of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez supports.
But legislation died in the Senate. This makes it difficult for Democrats to say they will defend abortion rights – which may discourage supporters of women’s rights who would otherwise stay at home from turning to this crucial ballot box.
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